Effect of royal jelly on coccidiosis in poultry: Biochemical and immunopathological study

The effect of royal jelly on coccidiosis in poultry was evaluated. Male chicks (cockerels) of 28 day age were divided in 3 groups, (A, B and C). Group A chicks served as control, chicks from group B were challenged with sporulated oocyst of E. tenella and group C with oocyst and royal jelly. Reduced weight gain was observed in group B and C. In group C significantly higher serum total globulin was observed as compared to group B. The haemagglutination titre was reduced in both coccidia challenged groups (B and C). Gross lesions produced due to coccidia challenge were congestion, haemorrhagic enteritis and blood tinged content in caeca. Lesions were of milder degree in group C. Histopathologically congestion, haemorrhage, sloughing of mucosal epithelium and cellular infiltration in submucosa with various developmental stages of coccidia were seen in group B. In group C pronounced int1ltration of mononuclear cell in mucosal layer and degenerating schizonts were observed. The royal jelly appeared to reduce overall damage due to coccidiosis in chicks.